The effects of going green

More then ever, homeowners, businesses and even municipalities are intrigued by the prospects of going green.

Environmentally-friendly cars, heating options and energy providers are becoming more attractive through the prospect of not only being better for the Earth, but also for long-term savings.

The changes create some challenges for local towns as they consider entering the future of energy and better conservation, but those challenges are being conquered as town officials consider the best options and move to the forefront in Massachusetts in terms of new energy applications.

One of the leaders is Princeton, where officials are close to beginning construction on a new wind turbine. The windmills will provide up to 40 percent of the town's power, which will lead to lower bills and, of course, a renewable source of energy for the town, one of the few communities in the state to have windmills.

But Princeton isn't alone. In Holden, the Public Safety Building Committee is charging toward heating and cooling the new police and fire station with a geothermal system that will use stabilized temperatures under the surface to moderate building temperatures. The Holden building would be one of just a few — including Watertown and Nantucket — to use geothermal energy. While a geothermal system will cost more than a traditional heating and cooling system, the long-term benefits and cost savings make it an attractive option.

But the road to newer technologies isn't easily paved. In Paxton, town officials are grappling with new issues that come with more popular heating systems, like outdoor furnaces.

The furnaces burn slower than traditional fireplaces and don't always burn traditional dry wood. Their chimneys emit smoke lower to the ground than house chimneys, creating more smoke that can disrupt residents. Paxton's Board of Health is trying to find ways to deal with the new issue, while creating an open dialogue that would balance the use of the stoves with the wishes of neighbors.

At the same time, Paxton is trying to work on rules for windmills, feeling its way forward on another energyrelated program.

As the cost of energy and heating keeps increasing, residents will be more demanding of creating their own options, and communities will search for better answers and long-term solutions. Already, Wachusett towns are making thoughtful, forward-thinking decisions as they tackle new options created by new technologies.